Homebound

Chapter 33

         "If you give me one more gift, I will fling it to hit your face. Do not test me. " Asher threatens Robert. He just came home with a new laptop. Asher has been using Laura's old one, but the poor gadget has seen better days. It takes forever to load content and it freezes at times. The volume doesn't work either.

          "Don't think of this as a gift. It's a necessity. You need this laptop for your school work." Robert justifies his purchase.

        "I would agree with you if you gave me a refurbished laptop. But, this is brand new and the latest model. How much did this cost anyways? Let me pay half."

        "Don't worry about the money."

        "I worry very much. You've been spoiling me rotten. I don't want all these presents, Robert. I appreciate one or two, but you come home every day with something for me! I don't accept this laptop. Take it back." Asher shoves the box onto Robert's hand.

       "I will not." He hands the unopened present back to Asher. "You've accepted all my other handouts. One more won't kill you."

       "All the other items weren't the same value of my non-existent bank account!" Asher sighs as he starts to unseal the cardboard box. He pulls out the laptop gently. "Thank you, Robert." He smiles widely. It's black, thin, and the ideal size of medium. "I'll only take this because I'll need it for next year, but please stop buying me presents. I'll soon be classified AS a hoarder." He chuckles as he waves his hand around the room to show the various articles that take up space in his room.

        Robert consents to Asher's entreaty, but how does he show Asher that he is truly contrite? The sole purpose of treating Asher is because he's never had all these gizmos as a child. Robert is overindulging Asher by giving him all the fancies he should've been bestowing him the last sixteen years.

      "What kind of child rejects an expensive laptop? He's not normal." Robert rambles to Laura later that night.

      "He may just want quality time with you, Robert."

       Robert snorts, "That's a funny joke, sweetheart."

       "I'm not kidding! Asher values bonding moments."

       "With the rest of you. Not with me." Asher is either corrupting Joshua, bickering with Delilah, or hugging Laura. If he's not with the Barkers, he's horsing around with Billy, Joshua, and Isaac. Robert and Asher don't spend time with one another voluntarily. Robert happens to be the one running errands and Asher is bored, so he comes along, or Asher is about to run and Robert is going to exercise anyways. Why not go together? All their encounters are coincidental.

        "That's not true. I'm sure he craves a relationship with you more than with anyone else."

       "What am I supposed to do with him anyways? He hates me." Robert pouts as he opens his arm for a hug.

       "A million and one things." Laura smiles, giving Robert a comforting hug. She wraps her arms around his shoulder as he places his hand on her waist, resting his head on top of her.

        Since Robert doesn't want to think of a million and one things he could do, he figures he could bother one of Asher's friends. So, when the boys come to the Barker's house for their ritual weekly movie night, Robert corners Isaac while he's choosing snacks to eat.

       "Isaac. Come with me for a moment."

       Isaac obliges as he brings along the water bottle he filled for himself and a large container of almonds.